Battle of Kulm

The Battle of Kulm (29-30 August 1813) was a major battle of the War of the Sixth Coalition that occurred in Kulm, Bohemia (now Chlumec, Czech Republic). Following the French victory at the Battle of Dresden, Emperor Napoleon I sent Dominique Vandamme to pursue the retreating Allies, and Laurent Gouvion Saint-Cyr and Auguste Marmont were sent to assist him with their corps. The French attacked the Coalition rearguard, consisting of a Russian force, threatening to trap the Coalition forces. However, the Russians fought hard and held back Vandamme's assaults. Friedrich von Kleist's Prussian corps then attacked Vandamme's rearguard, and the inexperienced French troops were driven back with heavy losses. The French lost half of their force, and the victory at Dresden was negated by the failure to destroy the retreating Coalition army. The French also suffered the loss of Vandamme, who was captured by the Russians.